What Will AS Be Serving in First Class on Your Flight? (2023)
 

New thread for 2023.

My partner and I flew Seattle to Boston last night (3:45pm) and landed just a few minutes before midnight…So technically, this belongs in the 2022 section.

Entree choices were:

* Asparagus and Shitake Risotto
* Kalbi Beef w Coconut Fried Rice

Surprisingly (because I’m a beef guy and not a fan of asparagus), I had the risotto, but I also got to taste the Kalbi. I thought the risotto was very tasty and very little noticeable taste or appearance of asparagus…It was served quite hot, and there was a nice flavor of shiitake mushrooms and otherwise it was creamy and cheesy…Sort of tasty comfort food.

On the other hand, I didn’t like the taste of the Kalbi sauce, and thought the tidbits of beef were “meh” in taste and otherwise low in flavor. The fried rice was nothing special either, and I didn’t notice much coconut flavor to speak of.

Once again, there were no PDBs on offer, despite probably among the most ample opportunity with everybody seated at least 20 minutes before departure.

Drinks came out at 50 minutes after departure… so Alaska is quite fine with people sitting there and no drinks for 60 to 80 minutes from boarding, at a minimum.

Other than that, the flight attendants, were sensational, especially the first class FA. They were also playfully attired in New Year’s Eve headwear.

I also discovered one of my new top desserts on an airplane: first, mixed one bottle each of Irish Cream and Hazelnut Vodka over a few rocks, and then I scooped-in the contents of my chocolate brownie ice cream to my glass…the combination was better than a hog mt fudge sundae! Absolutely delicious, especially as the ice cream melted.

We also thought the sparkling wine from the can, which we tasted to usher in the new year during the descent, was decent…exceeded our expectations.


We were on a 737–909…I don’t know when it was delivered, but it sure seemed pretty new…The seats are so much better than their predecessors, especially the foot rest, secondarily the headrest (which is adjustable in multiple ways), and lastly, he cushioning to a smaller degree.

Hats off to the crew for their festive and accommodating attitudes and excellent service (except for the lack of PDBs, which I think seems to be the defacto standard).

New Year's Day Food
 

New year, same old food! I like both of these options, though, so no complaints here.

AS890 SBA-SEA
Jan. 1, 2023
737-800

I tried a new drink: rum (Cruzan) and soda, with a lemon packet. Quite refreshing. With some very warm nuts.

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Brisket torta, plus side salad. Filling and tasty.

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Chocolate-chip cookie. Snack basket was distributed as well.

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Bonus shot of El Capitan State Beach since it was so green and pretty over Santa Barbara County.

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AS1151 SEA-DEN
Jan. 1, 2023
737-900

Chicken sandwich with bacon and pickled apple. Another side salad. Also filling and delicious. There was no snack basket. Warm nuts and drinks to start.

Quite a turbulent flight. We arrived in a snowstorm and did a go-around about 30 seconds before landing on 35L in Denver. Slow-exiting traffic on the runway, the captain explained. Still kind of exciting!

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That sandwich looks AMAZING! I've not had a chocolate chip cookie in F for a long time--too long :(

It had a lot of bacon and was delicious. Saved the SEA-DEN cookie for later but I left it at home where it has probably been eaten already :(

Pork Shoulder and Scrambled Egg Bowl on this morning’s LAX-IAD. I thought this was very tasty. Service didn’t really start for at least 30 minutes but was good once it got going. Would definitely order this again.


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Moderator Note
 

We're way off-topic on this very active and very specific thread. A few posts have been moved to a new thread.

dayone, AS Moderator

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LAS-SEAOpen faced chicken gyro. The cheese platter probably would have been better on my post Vegas stomach

Probably had apricot chicken 10+ times... When there will be the new menu? Next month?

FAs spent 5 hours chatting with each other. No ice cream, no snack basket - EWR/SFO.

Pro tip: "Will you be offering the snack basket today?"

Any day. I pre-ordered Brick Chicken for my flight to MCI later next week.

Amateur tip: "May I see what's in the snack basket today?" :)

Or don't really let them say no...."when will you serve the snack basket today"

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First flight of the year is the SEA-BOS redeye, and also my first time trying this salad. Alaska hit a home run; I could have easily eaten three 😜🤤

I had only ever seen this as an economy preorder option. Never had the chance to try so interesting to see it’s the light meal on a redeye

Would love to see a yummy Greek salad sometime on AS.

OGG-SJC - had the Chickpea Teriyaki Bowl


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SEA-SJD on Jan 14.

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Very important new addition on AS760 SAN-MCO today… Tapatio!

Quick question: for transcons, can I expect a second meal before landing or just a snack? Flying SEA-BWI this week which departs at 7:35am and lands at 3:35pm. Is breakfast and lunch too much to hope for?

you'll get breakfast and the snack basket with munchies. Flight time is usually around 5 hours so not too long.

AS2 SEA-DCA, Sun 8 Jan

Entree choices were:
* Asparagus and Shiitake Risotto (pictured)
* Kalbi Beef w Coconut Fried Rice


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I thought the entree was a bit on the salty side, but nevertheless quite good … not a fan of the dozen or so almonds on the salad, however

the FA offered mimosas as a PDB and served warm nuts after the first round of beverages (note the Woodford mini); dessert was Salt & Straw vanilla; snack basket appeared about an hour before landing

I'd also ask for them to hold the lawn clippings....

Any experience with what will happen when you’ve pre-ordered 2 food items in Y but the get upgraded after T-20? Do either/both of them stick? I know when I’ve ordered just a F&C it has, but have never tried with 2 things.

Moderator Note
 

A few off-topic posts (PDBs) have been moved and a few of those (FAs) have edited or deleted.

This popular and active thread works best when it sticks very closely to F food and beverage served. Very specific and very limited comments about food may be permitted, but not general F food or ingredients comments. This thread is not a dogpile on AS' F service.

dayone, AS Moderator

LAX/SEA
3pm departure
Offerings include the usual F & C , with caveat that Brie will not be included due to shortage.

Smoked Brisket Torta

Shredded smoked beef brisket, provolone cheese, and a pinto bean spread served on a pepita and sesame crusted ciabatta roll. Served with a salad of crispy baby greens, fresh cucumbers, and grape tomatoes.
Complimentary

Quinoa and Roasted Rosemary Carrot Salad

Fresh cherry tomatoes, cello radishes, and roasted rosemary-balsamic carrots served on a bed of crisp baby greens. Topped with toasted quinoa and sunflower seeds, served with an almond parsley dressing.
Complimentary

Update
Pre- Ordered the Brisket Torta.
This was very good, seeded bun big improvement over the ciabatta sandwich rolls.
4 fruit and cheese loaded and gone by row 3, as most did not pre order. 16 in F. We were in 2A ,2C.
Passenger in 3C, saw my food delivered and told FA he changed his mind for meal.
(I think some did not know what a torte is)
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Warm Smoked brisket torte.
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Brisket was sliced, not shredded, which worked well with melted cheese.

I was served a full meal and several rounds of drinks. I enjoyed it. 🤙🏻🥃

When do new menus come out?

Pre-order for BOS-SEA-BOS at the end of the month is still apricot chicken/butternut risotto - by my math we should have gotten a new menu in early January

The answer to my own question: The record of both will stick and you will have the option to purchase the second item.

1/13/23, AS 450, CMH-SEA, 6:10 depart

First AS flight of the year. Same choices as my last dinner one (11/4/22). Apricot Prosciutto Chicken, Butternut Squash Risotto, or F&C.

The Risotto was significantly better than the last time with a bigger portion, I think. Just much more tasty. I rolled the dice as I wasn't really feeling the chicken again, and I have sworn off of F&C in F. Seems like every time I regret it.

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I am not sure I recall any prosciutto served along with the apricot chicken?

Question: if I pre-select the cheese plate, will I get a dessert too? Flight is SAN-MCO.
TIA

Yes, ice cream is served as a separate round after the entrees.

My wife had the Butternut Squash Risotto last week from SJC>OGG and it was over-cooked and dry. Big fail.

My short ribs were, however, very tasty. Great service!!

AS 355 TPA - PDX 1/15/23

According to the FA there were no hot meals due to staffing issues. Everyone received the same thing. No milk was loaded for the granola either. Best thing was the almond butter.

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AS 306
BOS-SEA
1/15/23

​​​​​​I decided to expand my horizons and order the risotto for the first time....big mistake....this has to be hands down the worst meal (in terms of both taste and quantity) I've ever had in First Class on Alaska. I ate about half of mine and was thankful for the delicious guacamole and chips as well as clam chowder in the Admiral's Club before the flight. They really need to add an appetizer or salad for a flight this long.
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That's really strange. I did a transcon this weekend and got salad/ice cream. I thought it was different because usually they do ice cream after the dinner service separately (IIRC on other flights). My only complaint was I felt like the FA in First wasn't very attentive/friendly. Normally in FC I find the FAs to be incredibly nice/attentive. Nothing was 'wrong' to justify making a complaint to AS, but maybe it was just an off-day for her.

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You got ripped off. My wife had it last week and it came with a salad and ice cream.

​​​​​​We did get ice cream served separately after dinner. I regret not ordering the chicken--it looked like that dinner came with salad and probably tasted a thousand times better.

Any recent experiences with post dinner hour service up and down the coast? I’m flying SEA-LAX tomorrow on the 9:20 pm flight and and curious about how much of a “snack” they’ve returned to.